Saturday, May 29, 2010

Is it wrong to be Selfish?

Lately I came across a person whom I got acquainted with recently declaring that being selfish is a matter to be! I just wondered through my mind these few days about the comment made in public. This person was very confident about this particular feeling and conveyed it in a way that intrigued me. If I may, this person is quite strong in both physical appearance and personality. From the facts that I know this person is quite successful in life. Does that give any reason to be proud of being selfish?

I just went to find the meaning to describe selfishness. Putting personal beliefs and desires ahead of others' feelings and desires are being described as selfishness. And to see there were more questionnaires  on this subject than I wondered.  From my past experiences I'm quite aware that there is no exact Right or Wrong but I wanted to give a thought to this concept. 

I taught myself that being considerate about other fellow human beings was the right thing to do. Sparing a little thought wouldn't harm! Well I eventually valued being unselfish. I tried to find that quality in others too and praised it whenever I saw it. But one day, as usual in life, I got hurt badly by trying to safeguard another's feelings and i thought that may be the price I got to pay. 

But that was a long time ago. I'm not quite sure why I feel so intrigued by being selfish. I think may be you need to be a little selfish too. This world holds quite too much to handle at once and on the long run hurt is inevitable. I guess lets be a bit selfish to the extent that it preserves our identity and not be hurtful to anybody around us. May be that person I mentioned is someone like that. I hope for the best.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Vesak Day; a moment to think...

Today according to the Sri Lankan calender, The Vesak Day and tomorrow is day after Vesak. It is a national holiday in Sri Lanka and a significant day in the year for a Buddhist.  The Wikipedia also has given an insight for the meaning of the day mentioning that it is "Buddha's Birthday". I'm not sure whether it is actually an appropriate definition for Vesak. True that Prince Siddhartha was born on a Vesak Day. And Prince Siddhartha gained the knowledge of the Truth on Vesak Day, enlightenment which made him Lord Buddha. And then life of Lord Buddha spreading the message of Truth, the understanding of the meaning of all those questions arose within the search of spirituality. The passing away of Lord Buddha is the third significant happening on the Vesak day.S o its a combination of all these incidents that make Vesak Day an important day of a Buddhist's life.

Even though I mentioned "A buddhist's life" I'm not quite certain whether it is really correct. The preachings of Lord Buddha always demanded clear understanding rather than some blind belief on the teachings. Buddhism always required logical thinking and understanding of deeper meanings. I think in most Asian countries it says that you are born to a certain race and a religion. And truthfully that is how I got my religion. BUT when a person matures in life there should be the right to decide on his/her beliefs as much as he/she gets the voting rights. I strongly believe that Buddhism shows a helpful pathway with logical thinking, for a better development of spiritual life. An insight of the truthful meaning of life itself. 

My opinion for Vesak Day 2010 will be that we all take a break from our daily routine and step out of our box, think about how we live. Are we being truthful to our beliefs and understandings of life? Are we living as true Buddhists? May be that will uncover some new understanding which we all lacked in our lives.